The Christmas Holidays are over, the start of the New Year has been celebrated and all the students have returned to school.

Arrival day was 3rd January, and classes started on Thursday 4th January. It was actually quite nice only having two days of school before having a weekend break – enough time to remind everyone of their daily time tables, homework expectations, etc, but not too long to leave us exhausted before we start the term proper.

It has not been a completely free weekend, though. Friday evening saw the robotics team getting together to finish preparations for the Lego robot competition.

Here you can see them discussing progress on the research they have been doing for three presentations they need to give. And on Saturday morning I was with them as they worked on the software for their robot missions. The East Africa regional competition is in Nairobi on 3rd February, so less than four weeks to go!

Saturday evening saw us entertaining ten Senior (12th Grade) boys. We have taken over a Caring Community group from two staff who are on home assignment for the rest of the year, and we have to occupy the boys for three evenings a term.

We had a great time with them : we sat chatting on the terrace with an open fire in our chiminea (a sort of outside fireplace), they made homemade pizzas, and competed in a general knowledge quiz. They were enthusiastic all evening, but also polite and helpful. We are looking forward to our future sessions with them.

The weather here is distinctly disappointing, with overcast skies, some bouts of torrential rain, and cool temperatures. Not what we were expecting from the Kenyan summer, even in the mountains. At least the crops and gardens are thriving.